northwestern

adjective

north·​west·​ern nȯr(th)-ˈwe-stərn How to pronounce northwestern (audio)
1
often Northwestern : of, relating to, or characteristic of a region conventionally designated Northwest
2
: lying toward or coming from the northwest
northwesternmost
nȯr(th)-ˈwe-stərn-ˌmōst How to pronounce northwestern (audio)
adjective

Examples of northwestern in a Sentence

the northwestern corner of the state
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Still, the Four Corners region could get more heavy rain this weekend, with up to half an inch (1 centimeter) forecast to fall in northwestern New Mexico. — Mead Gruver, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026 At the Northwestern campus Saturday, volunteers rescued over 40 live, injured birds, including 35 by the Kellogg School of Management Global Hub, said Allison Sloan, a volunteer with Bird-Friendly Evanston. — Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026 Save the Rhino Namibia, with support from Namibia’s Ministry of Environment and Tourism as well as other organizations, has long led the conservation efforts for wild black rhinos in northwestern Namibia. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026 Wisconsin agriculture officials have confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly called bird flu, in a commercial poultry flock in Barron County, in the northwestern part of the state. — Wcco Staff, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for northwestern

Word History

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of northwestern was in 1577

Rhymes for northwestern

See All Rhymes for northwestern

Browse Nearby Words

northwesterly
northwestern
northwestern anthracnose
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Cite this Entry

“Northwestern.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/northwestern. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

northwestern

adjective
north·​west·​ern nȯrth-ˈwes-tərn How to pronounce northwestern (audio)
1
often capitalized : of, relating to, or characteristic of the Northwest
2
: lying toward or coming from the northwest
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